As Singapore is known for the most expensive city to live in, it is vital to know your gross monthly income as this is the key on how you can manage your money. It refers to the total amount you earn before taxes and other deductions are taken out. This includes your base salary, any extra pay for overtime, bonuses, and allowances you get from your job.
To calculate it, you’ll need to break down your paycheck and see what it’s made of. This usually includes your basic salary, overtime pay, bonuses, and any allowances you receive.
To understand more about gross monthly income and how to compute it here’s a go-to guide.
What Is Gross Monthly Income?
According to the Ministry of Manpower, the gross monthly income or gross monthly pay is defined as the income earned from employment by employees or self-employed individuals.
For employees it is the gross monthly compensation or salaries before deducting employee CPF contributions and personal income tax. It includes base earnings, overtime compensation, commissions, tips, various allowances, and one-twelfth of the annual bonus.
For self-employed individuals it is average monthly profits coming from their business, trade or profession such as total receipts less business expenses incurred before income tax deduction
Gross Income Vs Net Income: The Difference
Gross income refers to the amount of money you can get before any deductions and taxes. On the other hand, net income is your take home pay after all the deductions such as taxes, social security and retirement savings. This is what you can use for your monthly expenditures.
What You Need To Include With Your Gross Monthly Income?
In order to calculate your gross monthly income you have to include the following:
- Overtime pay
- Commissions
- Allowances
- Bonuses
- Tips you received from customers
- Revenue from enterprises or other jobs
- Investments
When calculating for gross monthly income it is important to consider all your revenue sources. This may include your investment income or revenues from your side hustles. Also, some of these income sources may not be fixed, it is still essential to include it.
How to Calculate Your Gross Monthly Income?
Here’s how to calculate your gross monthly income based on how you earn.
Employees
For employees, here’s how you can calculate your gross monthly income:
1. Monthly salary.
If you received a fixed monthly salary, this is your starting point when computing your gross monthly income. However if you are earning an hourly rate, multiply this rate by the total of hours you work in a month and that’s your basic pay.
2. Bonuses and Overtime pay
If you are receiving annual bonuses, you need to include it on annual salary and divide the total amount by 12. For instance if you are earning an annual bonus of S$10,000 and annual salary is S$50,000, your gross monthly income is S$5,000.
To come up with your gross monthly income =, you may need to include your overtime pay. Multiply the total number of hours by your hourly overtime rate.
3. Allowances and Additional Income
To calculate your total gross monthly income, you may need to add any allowances, commissions, incentives, or reimbursements you received for the month.
Do note that gross monthly income may vary from month to month as some of the added amounts are not fixed. Moreover, it may vary due to working days and public holidays.
Self-Employed Individuals
Calculating your gross monthly income as a self-employed individual in Singapore can be more complex than an employed individual. Here’s a straightforward guide to help you determine your gross monthly income by calculating your average monthly profits.
Calculating Average Monthly Profits
To determine your average monthly profits, follow these steps:
Add up your total receipts for the year. Then, subtract your business expenses from your total receipts. These expenses may include cost of goods sold, rent, utilities, office supplies, and other business-related expenses. The difference between your total receipts and your business expenses is your net income. Divide this net income by the number of months you’ve been in business. For instance, if you’re net income is S$60,000 and you have been in business for 12 months, your average monthly profits would be S$5,000.
Why Calculating Your Gross Monthly Income Is Important?
Calculating your gross monthly income is important as it affects your financial decisions.
Budgeting and Financial Planning
Understanding your gross monthly income allows you to create a realistic and attainable budget. By subtracting your expenses from your gross income, you can determine how much money you have left each month for savings, investments, or non-essential spending.
Plan for Future Expenses
Whether you’re saving for a down payment on a home or planning for your child’s education, knowing your gross income helps you set aside the necessary funds.
Avoid Overspending
A budget based on your gross income helps you avoid spending more than what you earn.
Emergency Fund
Establishing an emergency fund becomes easier when you know exactly how much you can afford to save each month by knowing your gross income.
Income Tax Calculations
Your gross monthly income is essential for calculating your income tax. Personal income tax is based on your chargeable income, which is your gross income minus any deductions or reliefs.
Estimate Annual Tax
By knowing your gross monthly income, you can estimate your annual taxable income and determine your tax obligations.
Avoid Surprises
Understanding your tax liability ahead of time helps you avoid unexpected tax bills.
Moreover, if you are in need of a personal loan, licensed money lenders use this as a basis to determine your interest rates.
Also, please don’t forget that your gross monthly income figures are essential to file your taxes accurately. Therefore, by knowing your exact gross monthly income you can come up with informed financial decisions.
The Bottom Line
Gross monthly income is a crucial factor in making informed financial decisions. Understanding your gross income allows for the creation of a realistic and attainable budget plan, ensuring that financial goals are both achievable and sustainable.
By accurately accounting for your income, you can better manage expenses, savings, and investments, leading to a more stable and secure financial future.